Agenda item

(i)        Questions on Notice to the Executive:-

 

(a)     Question from Councillor Nick Allen to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

“What steps have you implemented to support landlords in Doncaster during the pandemic?  Would you consider introducing some scale of Council Tax relief for landlords who have been affected by the extra charges levelled on owning a property which has been empty for two years or more.”

 

(b)     Question from Councillor Jane Cox to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

“Could the Mayor please give a detailed breakdown of what the initial £1 million that has been drawn down from the Town Fund will be spent on.  Does she consider these schemes to be good value for money given the current state of the town centre with many empty shops.  Would the money have been better spent on enhancing the look of the High Street?”

 

(ii)          Questions without Notice to the Executive and the Chairs of Committees.

 

A.     Questions on Notice

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.2, the Chair accepted the following questions from Elected Members during “Question Time”:-

 

(a)   From Councillor Nick Allen to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

Q.“What steps have you implemented to support landlords in Doncaster during the pandemic?  Would you consider introducing some scale of Council Tax relief for landlords who have been affected by the extra charges levelled on owning a property which has been empty for two years or more?”

 

A.  The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, gave the following response:-

 

“Like many Councils, Doncaster faces a continuing shortage of housing and bringing empty properties back into use is one of the main ways to provide much needed additional housing across the Borough.  From 1st April 2020, we took advantage of the legislative provision to increase the amount of Council Tax charged for properties that have been empty for more than two years.

 

Doncaster Council does have discretion to reduce Council Tax charges on the grounds of financial hardship and where this is in the interests of local Council Tax payers.  The cost of reducing charges in these circumstances has to be met by the Council and ultimately, by other Council Tax payers through future increases.

 

This is only considered in exceptional circumstances and the criteria for awarding relief is that there is clear evidence of financial hardship/circumstances that justifies a reduction, and that it is reasonable to award a reduction having regard to the interests of other Council Tax payers who have to meet the cost.

 

If businesses are suffering financial problems, they can apply for a reduction by providing suitable evidence such as accounts.

 

We have also provided a 3 month payment holiday and longer payment terms which many businesses have made use of.

 

In doing so, I feel we have struck a balance between being sympathetic to the financial challenges faced by businesses, whilst balancing the financial challenges being faced by the Council.

 

Unfortunately, landlords are not the only ones to be lacking support from Government.  There are a number of other sectors that have been let down, including some SMEs, freelance professionals, the recently self-employed and those Company Directors who for years have rightly or wrongly, but perfectly legally, paid themselves mainly in dividends. May I suggest you contact Government and your own party leadership, and find financial support for these sectors which have been left to fall through the cracks.”

 

(b)   From Councillor Jane Cox to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones:-

 

Q.“Could the Mayor please give a detailed breakdown of what the initial £1m that has been drawn down from the Town Fund will be spent on.  Does she consider these schemes to be good value for money given the current state of the Town Centre with many empty shops.  Would the money have been better spent on enhancing the look of the High Street?”

 

A.  The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, gave the following response:-

 

“Thank you for your question Councillor Cox.  The Government particularly encouraged submissions that would support improvement to or new parks and green spaces and sustainable transport links, improvements to Town Centres including repurposing empty commercial properties, and Demolition or site remediation where this will have an immediate benefit.

 

This £1m funding was announced in September and has to be spent before the end of March 2021, so within a very tight timescale of only 6 months in which the schemes need to be drawn up, contracted, feet on the ground and the money spent.

 

Council Officers put forward a range of projects to the Doncaster Town Deal board, whose members decided which schemes to progress.  The Doncaster Town Deal Board is composed of a range of stakeholders, including the private sector.  This was important as this Board will be key to agreeing the projects that will be delivered under the wider Towns Fund deal.

 

It was felt that these projects strike a good balance between delivering on the Government's criteria and tight timescales for the accelerated Towns Fund, whilst blending and adding to other initiatives that we have set in motion under the Transforming Cities Fund, future High Street Fund and Get Building Fund, which are all focused on enhancing the look of and regenerating the Town Centre.

 

The £1m spend can be broken down and I will get the detailed breakdown of schemes to you.  But, to summarise, there are schemes to be carried out on Elmfield Park, Town Fields, Regent Square, Hall Gate to Wood Street Alleyway, Printing Office Street, and the Civic and Cultural Quarter.

 

On the question of improving the high street, the accelerated fund is just one part of multiple funding sources that target regeneration in urban centres.  I continue to press Council Officers to maximise all avenues of external grant.  The truth is, there is not enough money currently being pledged by Government for Doncaster and the North.  There are countless opportunities for regeneration in our Towns and Villages across the Doncaster Borough, but we need the ‘levelling-up’ funding as a matter of urgency and with realistic timelines for delivery, not just 6 months.  Time for Boris to stand by his words and deliver on the ‘levelling-up’ agenda that he promised.  If you take a look at our Urban Centre Masterplan, you will see our ambitious ideas for rejuvenating our highstreets; this includes shrinking our retail offer, encouraging more leisure and culture, Town Centre living and green spaces, for example.

 

And finally, you ask whether I think the schemes are good value for money.  I believe considering the tight time constraints and Government criteria set, that we have achieved a good balance.  I would say it is significantly better value for money than the £1.5 billion that has been wasted by this Government on a failing Track and Trace System from companies with very dubious links to the Conservative Party.  Maybe you should direct your Value for Money concerns right back at Government and your own party.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Cox asked the following supplementary question:-

 

Q. “I am shocked that there is not enough money coming into Doncaster with the amount that is coming in at the moment, so there is £50m in the two Towns Fund at the top of my head.  I understand the Waterfront and the ambitious plans we have got, but we do not seem to have any ready to give to Government in the short term, and also, could I have a copy of the minutes of the Board where it was decided where the £1m would be spent please?  I really do not understand the reluctance of the Mayor to share the actual amounts spent on each scheme which I do know is available.  Thank you.”

 

A. The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, gave the following response:-

 

“The reluctance is not there; we will give you a detailed breakdown of the sums of monies.  I would reiterate that the actual decision of the Board had to be delivered in six months.  You talk about the £50m Town Fund; can I advise you that the bids have got to be back sometime in January which is up to £25m for the Town Fund and £25m for Hatfield.  Therefore, it is not about a shortage of funds, it is about the shortage of time when we spend the £1m to deliver schemes that meet the Government criteria, but thank you for your question.”

 

B.   Questions Without Notice

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.2, the Chair of Council sought questions from Elected Members during Question Time.

 

A.    Questions to the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones

 

Q.   Councillor Nick Allen asked the following question:-

 

“I would like to ask a question about the Council’s Tree Policy and if you feel the protests which are currently ongoing on Middlefield Road could have been handled in a different way by the Council?”

 

A.   The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, gave the following response:-

 

“I am going to pass this to Councillor Joe Blackham as this falls under his Portfolio and I am sure he has got a comprehensive answer for you.”

 

A.   Councillor Joe Blackham gave the following response:-

 

“Unfortunately, I do not concur with any judgement which suggests we could have handled it differently.  Extensive public consultation with residents was carried out.  They supported the concept of the tree removal with good reason.  The reason for the removal is due to the damage caused to the highway infrastructure.  It is regrettable that people who are not living in this area are boycotting the removal.  There is an ongoing dialogue and I hope we can find a sensible resolution.   As part of the assessment in relation to the tree removal, we brought the protester from Sheffield to Doncaster, to express his views and opinions, and he felt as we felt, that it was appropriate for the trees to be removed.  For individuals from outside the area who are not impacted by the removal of these trees, to actually perform in this way and stop the removal of the trees which is to the benefit of local residents, is appalling.”

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.7, Councillor Nick Allen asked the following supplementary question:-

 

Q. “My original question was how the Council responded to the protestors.  I am aware of the history and I am pleased that Councillor Blackham outlined that, particularly with regard to the consultation which happened previously.  Could there be any sort of enforcement action taken against sitting Parish Councillors who have essentially turned up on Middlefield Road, causing a nuisance at this so called protest?  In terms of handling it differently, there were opportunities for the Council to be more robust and I am mindful of the adjacent issue of the paving, not just on Middlefield Road, but paving around the area in Stoops Road and Broughton Road.  I am pleased as to what you have said Councillor Blackham.”

 

A.Councillor Joe Blackham gave the following response:-

 

“It is difficult to have an ongoing discussion and dialogue with somebody who is not prepared to have a discussion, but we will look to find a way to get the removal finalised and more importantly, the repairs to the footways to make them safe for local residents to utilise.”

 

Q.Councillor Sean Gibbons asked the following question:-

 

“Ros, as revealed in a recent article, why did Doncaster Council sign a non-disclosure agreement with regard to HS2 and on what date?”

 

A.The Mayor of Doncaster gave the following response:-

 

“Councillor Gibbons, I do not have this information to hand and I am not aware of this so I will provide you with a written response.”

 

B.   Questions to the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Housing and Equalities

 

There were no questions put to the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Glyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Housing and Equalities.

 

C.     Questions to Councillor Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure and Culture

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Nigel Ball, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure and Culture.

 

D.     Questions to Councillor Joe Blackham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Scene and Trading Services

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Joe Blackham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Scene and Trading Services.

 

E.     Questions to Councillor Rachael Blake, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Rachael Blake, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

 

F.     Questions to Councillor Nuala Fennelly, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Nuala Fennelly, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools.

 

G.    Questions to Councillor Chris McGuinness, Cabinet Member for Communities, Voluntary Sector and the Environment

 

In the absence of Councillor Chris McGuinness, Cabinet Member for Communities, Voluntary Sector and the Environment, the Chair of Council informed Members that any questions for Councillor McGuinness should be submitted in writing to the Executive Office after the meeting, and a response would be provided accordingly.

 

H.     Questions to Councillor Bill Mordue, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Economic Development

 

Q. Councillor Nick Allen asked the following question:-

 

“I would like to ask how many schemes to support local businesses has the Council initiated and developed in-house, which are uniquely from Doncaster Council?”

 

A. Councillor Bill Mordue gave the following response:-

 

“I hope you will appreciate I have had no notice of this question and I do not have this kind of information to hand, so I will provide you with a written response.”

 

I.     Questions to Councillor Jane Nightingale, Cabinet Member for Customer and Corporate Services

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Jane Nightingale, Cabinet Member for Customer and Corporate Services.

 

J.      Questions to Councillor Austen White, Chair of the Audit Committee

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Austen White, Chair of the Audit Committee.

 

K.     Questions to Councillor Phil Cole, Chair of the Elections and Democratic Structures Committee

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Phil Cole, Chair of the Elections and Democratic Structures Committee.

 

L.      Questions to Councillor Rachael Blake, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Blake, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

 

M.    Questions to Councillor Jane Kidd, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

 

There were no questions put to Councillor Jane Kidd, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee.